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Rockets rip Wolves

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MINNEAPOLIS — Dwight Howard had 18 points and 15 rebounds and the Houston Rockets pulled away from the Minnesota Timberwolves, 107-89, on Monday night. Chandler Parsons tallied 20 points and six assists, while James Harden added 19 points for Houston, which has won a season-high six straight games. Minnesota was still without two of its starters, guard Kevin Martin (thumb) and center Nikola Pekovic (ankle), but did get All- Star Kevin Love back. He missed two of his team’s last three games due to seperate injuries. He sat out last Wednesday’s loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder due to a stiff neck, and couldn’t go during Saturday’s defeat to the Portland Trail Blazers because of a bruised left quadriceps. Love had 31 points and 10 boards for the Wolves, who have dropped four consecutive tilts. Minnesota head coach Rick Adelman missed Monday’s game for personal reasons. Terry Porter filled in for him, as he did during Adelman’s 11-game absence in January of 2013, reportedly for spending time with his ailing wife.

Detroit 109,

San Antonio 100

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Brandon Jennings led six Detroit players in double figures with 21 points, and the Pistons got the John Loyer era off to a strong start by posting a 109-100 victory over the San Antonio Spurs at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Rodney Stuckey poured in 20 points off the bench and Greg Monroe tallied 15 points and 10 rebounds in Loyer’s debut as interim head coach, which came one day after the team surprisingly fired Maurice Cheeks. Detroit went just 21-29 under Cheeks, but entered Monday’s clash only a half-game out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and riding a two-game win streak. Marco Belinelli returned from a one-game absence to put up 20 points for San Antonio, but the Spurs committed 19 turnovers that the Pistons converted into 26 points and were dealt only their seventh loss in 26 road tests this season.

Indiana 119,

Denver 80

INDIANAPOLIS — David West scored 25 points to lead the Indiana Pacers to a 119-80 drubbing over the Denver Nuggets. Roy Hibbert deposited a 14-point, 12-rebound double-double and also added four blocks for the Pacers, who snapped their five-game losing skid to the Nuggets. Paul George and Lance Stephenson scored 12 points apiece in the win. Wilson Chandler paced Denver with 17 points on a futile 6-of-19 shooting. J.J. Hickson added 12 points with eight rebounds in the setback. Denver was without point guard Ty Lawson, who was sidelined with a fractured rib that he sustained in Saturday’s 126-109 loss at Detroit. Lawson leads the Nuggets in scoring (18 ppg) and assists (8.8 apg).

Golden State 123, Philadelphia 80

OAKLAND, Calif. — Marreese Speights had a career-high 32 points to go with eight rebounds and the Golden State Warriors pummeled the Philadelphia 76ers, 123-80, on Monday night. Stephen Curry added 23 points, eight assists and five rebounds, while David Lee tallied 13 points and 13 boards for Golden State, which had dropped two of its last three games coming in. Michael Carter-Williams netted 24 points to lead the Sixers, who became the second team in NBA history to lose back-to-back games by 40-plus points. The 1993-94 Sixers also accomplished the feat.

Toronto 108, New Orleans 101

TORONTO — Patrick Patterson had 22 points and six rebounds to help the Toronto Raptors take a 108-101 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday. Kyle Lowry flirted with a triple-double thanks to 19 points, 12 assists and seven rebounds and DeMar DeRozan scored 22 points for the Raptors, who had dropped three of four coming in. Tyreke Evans had 23 points and 10 assists and Anthony Davis gave 19 points with seven rebounds for the Pelicans, who have lost their past two.

Boston 102, Milwaukee 86

MILWAUKEE — Jeff Green poured in 29 points and the Boston Celtics stifled the Milwaukee Bucks in the fourth quarter to take a 102-86 decision at the Bradley Center. Kelly Olynyk recorded a 14-point, 11- rebound double-double, while Phil Pressey and Jared Sullinger chipped in 13 points apiece for Boston. Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo missed the tilt due to rest. The game was close through three quarters, but Boston opened it up in the fourth by outscoring its counterpart 32-18 in the final 12 minutes. Brandon Knight paced Milwaukee with 22 points and Gary Neal added 17 off the bench for the Bucks, who have lost three straight and 18-of-20 overall.

John Henson contributed 16 points in the setback. Boston scored 32 points off of 21 Milwaukee turnovers and Knight led the team with five giveaways.

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